Alec Ryder 'DadRyder' (Official Thread)

He also looks a bit like Mercer from Skyrim. 2 jerks who betray/use the hero/companions for money... not looking good for daddy Ryder

As far as I'm concerned, daddy dearest is painting a giant target on himself.
Firstly, he created an AI I really doubt he had the proper permission from the Council to do so: and not happy with just that, it’s a mind pluggin AI? Right after the geth attack on the Citadel? Gosh, he would have been shoulder deep in SPECTREs if something like that would have come to light before AI departure.
Secondly, he stowed away SAM for all the trip to Andromeda, creating a potential risk for security on board the Hyperion: I really doubt the average Joe known he was about to sleep near an AI created to be plugged to brains during a 600 years’ trip.
And now that we already have an unknown quantity for the human side of the Andromeda initiative, why refraining to plug the entire squad to an experimental AI? Incidentally, the same people working to find a new home for humanity in a dangerous galaxy...
And let’s remember he’s the human pathfinder: after the arrival, everything, mission wise, pass through him. So, even if he’s not actively guilty of all the above, he becomes guilty for omission and association.
So, to keep on clinging to the disembodied memories of his wife and mother of his children, he’s jeopardizing the entire mission, both his children included.
Now, I can’t say I don’t sympathize with the man, but someone like he’s, it’s not really commanding material anymore: he has too much baggage and skewed priorities to give him the right to decide the future of 20’000 lives.

2.16:

"From his node on the ark..."
And considering AI need a "blue boxes" in universe to function, SAM is and will be stored on the Hyperion (if a retcon doesn't erase blue box completely).

This said, a person who create an illegal AI after the Geth attack on the Citadel, and hid it away for a trip like the Andromeda Initiative, is untrustworthy imo. Sure, the rule of the Milky Way doesn't apply at arrival anymore because technically we aren’t in council space, but something like this is immoral at least.
And an untrustworthy person, who plug brains to a science experiment should not decide the destiny of 20’000 lives in a new galaxy.

You're assuming he created it after the attack or tha the hid it in the Initiative. Neither think were stated, so it's just your assumptions, which seem once again based on your opinion on AI.

Kinda wish Alec wasn't our Dad so my char could romance him He looks pretty attractive...
What is more intriguing is his backstory. I agree there s more to him. Possible connections to Cerb, the AI issue,his wifes death...So exciting.I cannot wait!

The Citadel Council did allowed Synthetics Insights to work on artificial intelligence, we saw that on ME1, so i see no reason to think that they couldn't allow it again with SAM.

Besides the newest (ingame) Andromeda Initiative briefing was very open about the AI, which gives credit to the idea that SAM isn't ilegal at all.

I just... I don't know what to think about my character having a dad that they actually interract with... Guess I'll have to see how it plays out. I just worry it'll be overbearing.

After growing so fond of Hawke's mom and feeling like she was my own mum, and then "things" happened, I am hesitant to become too fond of Alec.

Who knows? We could go into launch thinking we'll have Dad around for a while and he gets cutscene spaced right out of the gate, leaving us orphans (or at least we think we are) having to step into his oversized shoes and sort through a mess we never expected to be responsible for...having to prove ourselves to ourselves and everyone else.

I wasn't sure how I'd like Leandra and that took turns that fit my Hawke well, all things considered, so I am eager to see what Alec and SAM bring to the table. I'm trying not to theorise or tin-foil hat things out too much lest I run the risk of 'locking myself in' to something I think would be great...only to be disappointed if BW doesn't cater to my specific desires.

The briefing threw me a little bit. Being so open about SAM and his/its(?) connection to Alec and Elen Ryder seemed a little out of place for a 'positive press'/recruitment package for your average wannabe space colonist? To me, it felt more like 'information we think the players would find cool' marketing. I did find it cool...but I did appreciate the previous briefings feeling more like a recruitment pitch and less of an info dump.

To be fair, I don't think it's aimed at colonists but more at potential members of the pathfinder team and I think knowing who your bosses would be is pretty important (not to mention implants and their function)

So dad changes to match us to an extent it seems in CC.

Just thought I would drop this here from the twitter thread (credit goes to Hrungr for posting first):
‏@mikasniehaus
is it true that we can customize all 3 Ryders?

Ian S. Frazier @tibermoon
You can customize both twins individually, and the dad will automatically resemble you (to an extent).

Seems that the twin you don't choose will not affect his appearance. Wonder exactly what factors will change Alec's appearance.